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To boldly go where no ROV has gone before:
Outer-space scientists choose the SEAMOR ROV
for field research.
When NASA and the Canadian Space Agency needed an ROV to conduct research on the oldest life forms on
Earth to help with future missions to Mars, they contacted SEAMOR Marine Ltd.
Knowing they would need a reliable system that could easily be launched from any boat, Dr. Mark Micire
(DARPA/NASA) reached out to SEAMOR Marine Ltd. in the summer of 2013. Dr. Micire noted that after having
examined and test-flying other ROVs, he chose SEAMOR’s system as they were “best-in-breed for all ROVs we
tested up there”. SEAMOR was interested in assisting with the scientific endeavours proposed, and agreed to
work on the project through the summers of 2013 and 2014.
Using the Chinook system, the interdisciplinary team of scientists and researchers were able to inspect microbalites, ancient microorganisms that form structures similar to corals or “cauliflower” at the bottom of specific freshwater bodies of water such as at Pavilion Lake in British Columbia. The Chinook used was equipped
with a high-definition camera with built-in dimmable lights, and powerful auxiliary lights to further help the
research team view and film their explorations.
All SEAMOR ROV’s are designed with powerful thrusters that enable operators to move the vehicle quickly and
accurately. Because the vehicle is trimmed to be positively buoyant, the thrusters are directed away from the
underside of the vehicle and will not kick up particulate matter from the lake bottom when hovering in place.
These clever features ensure that the camera’s field of view is clear and unobstructed.
The Chinook is intuitive to use and the research team was able to master its operations quickly in order to focus
on their scientific explorations. Having used the system, Donnie Reid (Project Manager for the Pavilion Lake Research Project) described the Chinook as being a “Cadillac vehicle, a Rolls Royce vehicle in the ROV world”.
SEAMOR Marine Ltd. is proud to have its vehicles support this and other important scientific research.